Police officers examined for AU peace missions

Apr 04, 2018

"Those that qualify for the interview must be attested members of the police force and not be on probation served at least for five years."

(Credit: AFP)

SECURITY


To prepare for deployment in peace keeping missions across Africa, over 587 police officers have been subjected to the African Union (AU) Pre-Assessment for Assistance Mission service (AMS) exam at Nsambya Youth Sharing Hall in Kampala.

According to the Director Peace Support Operations, AIGP Grace Turyagumanawe, the set of exams is also meant to prepare officers for advanced examinations to compete internationally.

"It is among these candidates that we select qualified officers for deployment in any peace mission in Africa," he said.

"Those that qualify for the interview must be attested members of the police force, not be on probation served at least for five years and with no any acts of indiscipline in their files, a valid driving permit and a passport," Turyagumanawe added.

Last year, about 160 police officers were deployed in the African Union Mission in Somalia after undergoing training and testing for peacekeeping.

Although Uganda has been engaged in several military operations in a number of neighboring countries, its police force deployment to foreign missions has been to Somalia since 2012.

The Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) is the largest contributor to AMISOM.

The police officers are drawn from counter terrorism, medical, engineers, and public order management to support Somali authorities in enforcing law and order and train local forces as back up for military operations.

Turyagumanawe highlighted the fact that most of the missions for deployment are high risk areas but added that in return, Uganda's officers gain international policing experience.

The continent currently battles a wide range of security threats including civil wars and terrorism, which heighten the refugee crisis.

It is upon that backdrop that the African Union is compelled to prepare specialised personnel to intervene with the view of causing political stability.

 

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